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Personal info

Full name
HAMILTON, Thomas Currie
Date of birth
11 August 1911
Age
31
Place of birth
Manitoba, Canada
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
36395733
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
13 June 1943
Place of death
Schönberg, northeast of Kiel, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 9 25

Immediate family

Members
John W. Hamilton (father)
Mary E. (Currie) Hamilton (mother)
Earle L Hamilton (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-29957
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Helno Gal II
Destination: Kiel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR: 15556

More information

T/Sgt Thomas C. Hamilton was an electrician before he enlisted in Chicago, Illinois on 19 March 1942.

The aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters. The bombardier, 1st Lt Wilton H. Power, stated that they left the formation between the IP and the target. The pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, top turret, ball turret, tail gunner, radioman and right waist gunner all bailed out. He believed that everyone was out but Hamilton, left waist gunner, who was shot during action and he was almost positive about his death. He also states that all other members were in good condition, except for minor wounds. However, after interviewing parachuting crewman of other shot down B-17´s that day, he believes the remainder of his crew, pilot, top turret, ball turret, tail gunner and right waist gunner were all shot in their parachutes as they were descending.

Six crew members were killed. Their remains were initially buried at the Garnison Cemetery of Kiel on 17 June 1943. Four crew members were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - Walter Ram, www.newspapers.com - Chicago Tribune - 4 July 1943